"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S SUFFICIENCY FOR YOU DURING TIMES OF INFIRMITIES, INSULTS, HARDSHIPS, PERSECUTIONS, AND CALAMITIES"
2nd Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
2nd Cor 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2nd Cor 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2nd Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Let's start with the first verse above to set the tone and context of what Paul was saying. 2nd Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Paul was being helped by God not to be puffed up with pride, in light of the fact that he had been taken up into heaven, and saw and heard things that were unlawful to speak about. He had been given as he says, "the abundance of revelations" So, what the Lord allowed was this "thorn in the flesh to be given to him" We are not sure if it was a physical malady, or it might even be a reference to the false teachers who had crept into the church of Corinth, teachers differ as to the exact nature of the thorn, but it was something painful in his life. He also says it was a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him, and the whole point was so Paul would not be lifted up with pride.
2. In light of this "thorn in the flesh" Paul tells us 2nd Cor 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
So, he had asked the Lord over and over again, to please take this away from him. He pleaded with God that it might go away. But, the Lord's answer was 2nd Cor 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Essentially, this means that God said, no, I'm not going to take away this problem, but what I'm giving you is my grace, which is enough for your you. And, then the Lord explained why this was so. God told Paul that His strength would be made perfect in Paul's weakness. Or to put it another way, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. How about that. God's power works best when we are in times of weakness.
Paul then concluded So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." 2nd Cor 9b NLT.
3. To wind up this whole teaching by Christ, here's the final verse again in this section.
2nd Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
And, here's how it reads in the NLT 2nd Cor 12:10 "Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
So, Paul had learned, ( and I know the Lord wants us to learn the same lesson, and respond the same way Paul did. ) That when we go through times that are filled with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, that that's when we can find God's strength in our lives.
Isn’t' it funny in a sense that it when we are really in touch spots that God's unmerited favor, His unlimited strength and power really find their way into our lives. So, that like Paul we can say, that when I'm weak, then, I'm strong.
A prayer:
Father, as always, we are so thankful to You. Not only for having rescued us from permanent separation from You by coming to faith in Jesus Christ who died for our sins. But, also Lord for the fact that You do not leave us helplessly alone here while we serve You and wait to see you in heaven. But, You actively help us when we need it. You are with us to give us grace and power in all of the painful and difficult times of our lives. Help us to remember this truth about the way that You do things. And, help us to believe what You have said about all this in Your Word. You cannot lie. We love You and we thank You Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
